Report: New Mexico MMA Fighter Fends Off 4, Killing 1 in Home Invasion

By: Mike WhitmanJan 7, 2014

A New Mexico mixed martial artist allegedly stabbed a man to death
while fending off four intruders during a home invasion on Jan. 1,
according to a report from the Associated Press.

Joe
Torrez, 27, could face charges and is reportedly no longer
cooperating in the police investigation, according to his attorney,
C.J. McElhinney.

“Our cooperation has ended after it became clear that it looked
like authorities were keying in on my client and not those involved
in the break-in,” McElhinney told the Associated Press.

According to the report, Sal Garces, 25, died from stab wounds
after breaking into Torrez’s mobile home in Las Cruces, N.M., with
three other men. Torrez’s finance and child were reportedly home at
the time of the break-in, and Torrez allegedly engaged in a
physical altercation with the men, one of which suffered “serious
facial injuries,” according to the report. McElhinney also told the
A.P. that one man attacked Torrez with a handmade shank and another
grabbed a kitchen knife.

Leonard Calvillo, 22, and Raymond Garces, 19, the brother of the
deceased, have been charged with aggravated burglary and aggravated
battery, according to the report. Nathan Avalos, 20, was
hospitalized due to his injuries, but police reportedly plan to
charge him upon his release. Torrez has since reportedly moved out
of the area for his family’s safety.

A professional fighter since 2009, Torrez owns a record of 1-5,
earning his lone victory via submission in August 2009. The
lightweight most recently competed this past July, suffering a
first-round knockout at the hands of Rodrigo
Sotelo under the Rocktagon MMA banner in El Paso, Texas.